Squeaky Clean

Copyright (c) 2013 Pete Mitash

Sanitization of medical equipment is very crucial in the medical fraternity. It involves the destruction or removal of any organisms present in order to prevent them infecting other patients or hospital staff. Thus hospital supplies need to be procured from reliable and high standard vendors.

Microbes (bacteria & viruses) can be passed from one person to another on the surface of any equipment that is shared between them unless it is decontaminated between use. They can also be carried on the skin surface which is why hand washing between examining patients is important. The process by which microbes are passed from one infected person, to cause infection in another, is known as 'cross-infection'.

Cleaning, disinfection and sterilization are all actions that are used in the sanitization process. It reduces the risks of cross infection and helps to maintain the useful life of equipment. It is important in the overall control of hospital acquired infection. Nurses spend a lot of time with the patients thus the nursing supplies should go through many tests before they are deemed fit to be used.

Sterilization removes or destroys all forms of microbial life including bacterial spores.Each instrument or piece of medical equipment which comes into contact with a patient is a potential source of infection. High risk items come into close contact with a break in the skin or mucous membranes or are introduced into a normally sterile body area. eg. surgical instruments, needles, urinary and other catheters. Sterilization is required for this group. Medical supplies provide all kinds of medical supplies that match the highest tests of sterilization.

Cleaning in healthcare serves the dual functions of providing surface cleanliness and infection prevention and control. Both the importance and complexity of infection prevention and control are increasing due to rapidly developing strains of multidrug-resistant organisms that can result in serious worker and patient illness. Disinfection is required for this group. Low risk items only come into contact with normal intact skin. E.g. stethoscopes or washing bowls. Cleaning and drying is usually adequate for this group. Disinfection is best achieved by moist heat such as boiling in water (100°C for 10 minutes at sea level) which kills all organisms except for a few bacterial spores. It is important to note that boiling equipment items in water will not achieve sterilization. From a humble disposable syringe to the surgeon's scalpel all the supplies should meet the stringent demands of the medical community.

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